hearing

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a proceeding, usually by a court, where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

   The defendant's hearing takes place next Tuesday at the courthouse downtown.

2. 2
   noun

   a session (of a committee or grand jury) in which witnesses are called and testimony is taken

   the investigative committee will hold hearings in Chicago

3. 3
   noun

   an opportunity to state your case and be heard

   We condemned them without a hearing.

4. 4
   adj

   Able to hear, as opposed to deaf.

   Deaf people often must deal with hearing people.

5. 5
   noun

   The sense used to perceive sound.

   My hearing isn't what it used to be, but I still heard that noise.

6. 6
   noun

   The distance or physical region within which something may be heard; earshot.

   When this conversation was repeated in detail within the hearing of the young woman in question, and undoubtedly for his benefit, Mr. Trevor threw shame to the winds and scandalized the Misses Brewster then and there by proclaiming his father to have been a country storekeeper.

7. 7
   noun

   Something heard; a report or piece of news.

   More evidence followed. Evidence as to the financial difficulties in which the prisoner had found himself at the end of July. Evidence as to his intrigue with Mrs. Raikes—poor Mary, that must have been bitter hearing for a woman of her pride.

8. 8
   noun

   The act by which something is heard; the act of perceiving by sound or the auditory sense.

   To such perceivings we give names like these: seeings, hearings, smellings, chillings and burnings, pleasures and pains, desires […]

Etymology

From Middle English herynge, equivalent to hear + -ing.